Page 58 of The Omega Project

“Yes,” I say quickly, since the tension is palpable, even from across the other side of the world. “I just asked Soren to claim me, and we thought you should be part of the decision.”

The silence is so deafening, I can feel my ears burning, which is maybe why I don’t hear Lang until his hand touches my shoulder. He’s fresh from his shower, his hair damp and his black boxers clinging to his muscled thighs. But it’s the warmth in his eyes as he settles behind me that calms my racing heart. “That’s generous of you.” He draws me back into his arms and looks at the two silent alphas on the screen. “It’s their decision, after all.”

“We’ll be back in a couple of days,” Finn says quietly. “Can it wait?”

“No,” Soren replies shortly, his shoulders stiffening. “I’m an alpha now, which means my bite will be more effective in forging a bond. But that could change any day…”

“I’d want you no matter your designation,” I hurry to tell him, but then bite my lip, a sour feeling in my stomach. “Do you object to the bond or the timing?”

“We don’t object to either,” Creed says, gripping his knees. “We’re just cautious. We don’t know what a new mating bondmight do to Soren’s condition, and if we’re not there to intervene...”

Lang makes a grumbling sound, but I press a hand to his knee. “Lang and Derek are here with us, and maybe you guys can stay on the call. We’ll take it slow, and if there are any problems, we’ll stop.” I stare at Finn, hoping he can read the message in my eyes. If things goreallywrong, he can command us to stop, and despite the distance between us, I’m pretty sure we’d be compelled to listen.

“I don’t mind an audience,” Soren says, a sly smile pulling at his lips as he tangles his fingers in my curls. “They can even cheer us on, right, sweet girl?”

“It’s how pack bonds should happen,” Lang adds, dropping a kiss on my shoulder as he climbs off the bed. “I’m going to get Derek, so we can do this together.”

I’m not sure what Lang says to him, but they’re back in no time, and as Derek enters the room, he scowls ferociously at the iPad screen. “Do you have a problem with this?” he demands, using every inch of his imposing frame to loom over the device.

“No, but there are gonna be rules,” Creed replies and when Finn sits on the bed beside him, I turn my attention to the other alpha.

Finn is almost impossible to read, but instead of looking closed off, I think I can see a hint of eagerness in the way he leans towards the camera. I’m pretty sure Creed wants this – the logistics are just making him wary – but based on Finn’s body language, hereallywants this. And I guess when you can level a crowded room with your command, you don’t worry too much about setting rules.

“Derek is going to spot Soren, and Lang will watch Emily.” Soren rolls his eyes at the gym analogy but doesn’t interrupt as Creed looks at him. “But you’re gonna start by bonding Derekfirst. He’s a beta, like Emily is right now, and he’s big enough to fight you off if things go wrong.”

“Yeah, but he’s not a dress rehearsal,” I object. “Derek, you don’t have to…”

“We already agreed on this during your heat,” he interrupts me quietly, leaning over to squeeze my hand. “Soren and I have talked about it, too. You know how I feel about him, and I’m happy to do it this way if you’re okay with it.”

“Of course I’m okay.” In fact, the thought of being connected to Derek by another bond makes my heart swell with happiness. “You deserve someone like him, and I know that Soren will never regret having a bond with you.”

I’m not sure if it’s the right thing to say with Creed looking on, and their own bond still unfinished, but when I catch his eye, he gives me an approving nod.

Is there anything better than having two men you adore looking at you with stars in their eyes?

Maybe seeing them come together like a pair of magnets, or a bee zooming in to taste the sweetest nectar on the tree. I nestle beside them as Derek plucks at the bowtie around Soren’s neck, his vivid green eyes never leaving the smaller man’s face. When Derek starts peeling open his shirt, carefully releasing each button, Soren’s lashes flutter. “You’re kind of intense, big guy.”

“Wait until he starts with the dirty talk,” I smirk, which earns me a heated glance from Derek and a little moan from Soren.

He loses his pants a lot faster, almost tearing them down his legs. “Can I be on top?” he asks when he’s done, squirming like he wants to climb straight into Derek’s lap. “It’s just that you seem kind of dominant for a beta.”

“You’re my alpha,” Derek replies, “and you can claim me any way you want.”

Soren’s eyes blow wide, his scent growing thick in the air as he gently nudges Derek back against the covers. His sweats arehanging low on his hips, and Soren peels them down with a hungry groan.

“Check him,” Creed murmurs from the screen. “Make sure he’s not going into rut.”

“He’s fine,” Lang says, squeezing me tighter. “He smells like gingerbread with extra spice.”

My mouth waters, and not just at his delectable aroma. I love the trust Derek shows as he lies beneath Soren, his body open and waiting as he pulls off his boxers and crawls between his thighs. I love the worshipful way Soren takes Derek’s hard erection into his mouth, and the sounds that tumble from Derek’s lips as he sucks him deep. I love the flush that darkens his chest, and the way he fists the comforter when Soren teases him with his tongue. But mostly I love the looks they are giving each other, hazy with lust, but so full of mutual adoration it makes tears burn the back of my eyes.

“I love you, Derek.”

I barely hear the words leave my lips, but he turns his head, his hooded gaze burning into mine. “Love you too, Em.”

And then his spine curls in a perfect arch, because Soren has raised himself onto his knees and speared himself on Derek’s cock. He sucks in a surprised breath, but lets it out in a long, satisfied groan as Soren starts to undulate his hips. “Wasn’t expecting that, were you, big guy?”

The tendons in Derek’s throat throb, his voice a breathless huff. “I thought you were gonna knot me.”

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